COSS HYBRID: Visual Artistry of Dan Curry & relationship between science-fiction & science-fact
08 November 2021, 6:00 pm–9:30 pm
![Star Trek action figure, Photo by Stefan Cosma on Unsplash](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-of-advanced-studies/sites/institute_of_advanced_studies/files/styles/large_image/public/events/stefan-cosma-unsplash-kirk.jpg?itok=AlaxYWqy)
As part of UCL Space Week the Centre for Outer Space Studies proudly presents an evening with Dan Curry and Ben Robinson.
This event is free.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Cost
- Free
Organiser
-
Centre for Outer Space Studies
Location
-
Gustave Tuck LT, 2nd Floor, South JunctionWilkins Main BuildingGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUnited Kingdom
Star Trek is one the most recognisable works of science fiction in popular culture and seven-time Emmy award winner Dan Curry is one of its most enduring talents. His amazing contributions have ranged from directing, title design and concept art to practical on-set effects and weapon design. From The Next Generation to Enterprise, Dan's far-ranging work for Star Trek has resulted in some of the series' most memorable moments. Together with Ben Robinson, a foremost expert on all things Star Trek, they have recently published a book ‘The Visual Artistry of Dan Curry’ which outlines Dan’s significant influence on the aesthetics of science fiction in the public realm. His visual effects work on Star Trek has been recognized with multiple awards including 7 Emmys and 19 nominations.
The Centre for Outer Space Studies (COSS), with its commitment to generating debate around the social implications of the cosmos, is excited to host Dan and Ben’s discussion around the intersections of art and science, science and fiction. The evening will be hosted and chaired by Rachel Hill.
Photo by Stefan Cosma on Unsplash
About the Speakers
Dan Curry. V.E.S
Dan Curry is a veteran of over 100 feature films and 40 television productions. His visual effects work on STAR TREK has been honored with 7 Emmy Awards and 19 nominations. Other awards include a Visual Effects Society Award for best broadcast VFX, an Omni Award, and three International Monitor Awards. Dan also created the Klingon martial arts style and invented iconic bladed weapons. Dan served as a visual effects department head at 21st Century Fox, Warner Bros, and Paramount Pictures. He was Vice President, Director of Creative Services at Cinema Research Corporation, and Art Director at Modern Film Effects. Dan is a founding member and has represented the Overview Institute at events in Spain and Las Vegas. He has lectured internationally in Malaysia, New Zealand, Europe, Thailand, and all over the US. He has also worked with NASA to deliver presentations on the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and real science.
Dan holds an MFA in Film and Theatre. Prior to entering the film industry, Dan taught Fine Arts, Film, and Theatre at the university level. He is a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Community Development constructing small dams and bridges in rural Thailand while teaching part-time at Khon Kaen University. Subsequently he directed a Thai language TV series for the Ministry of Education while serving as production designer for The Bangkok Opera, and doing freelance art and architecture projects. Dan was the only non-Thai awarded a commission as production designer for the King’s Royal Charity Ball.
Dan is a past Governor of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and is a member of the Directors Guild of America, American Society of Cinematographers, Producers Guild of America, Art Directors Guild, and is a past Board Member of the Visual Effects Society and was honored as a Visual Effects Society Fellow.
Ben Robinson
Ben Robinson is best known as the man behind Eaglemoss's Official Star Trek Starships collection, which in the last three years has become the largest and best-regarded collections of model Star Trek ships ever produced.
He has been involved with Star Trek for 20 years. Ben was the launch editor of the huge Star Trek Fact Files reference work, which sold over 50 million units. Then he went on to edit the US Star Trek: The Magazine, which ran between 1999 and 2003. He has co-written two Haynes Manuals, the first featuring all seven Enterprises, and the second focusing on the Klingon Bird-of-Prey.
Rachel Hill
Rachel Hill is a PhD Candidate in the Science and Technology Studies department of University College London. She recently completed her MA in Cultural Studies, where her dissertation focused on the sociotechncial imaginaries of outer space in the commercial space sector. She is a co-director of the London Science Fiction Research Community (LSFRC) and explores the radical potential of speculative fiction as a member of the feminist research collective Beyond Gender. She is an affiliate of the Centre for Outer Space Studies at UCL.